Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
DESCRIPTION
TITLE OF INVENTION
Electric Milling Machine
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to an electric milling machine, and particular
to
an electric milling machine which grates food by relatively moving two or more
members which abut to each other.
BACKGROUND ART
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-199242 (PTD 1) has conventionally
proposed various techniques for an apparatus for preparing a beverage by
making use
of a grating mechanism obtaining a grated object by finely grating food with
rotation of
a mill.
CITATION LIST
PATENT DOCUMENT
PTD 1: Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-199242
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
TECHNICAL PROBLEM
When an electric milling machine which grates food by relatively operating
members joined to each other, such as the grating mechanism including the mill
above,
grates food continuously for a long period of time, an operating portion is
expected to
be high in temperature due to friction. Therefore, measures for avoiding too
high a
temperature in the portion of the electric milling machine are preferably
taken.
The present disclosure was made in view of such circumstances, and an object
thereof is to provide an electric milling machine in which increase in
temperature of a
grating mechanism can be suppressed.
SOLUTION TO PROBLEM
According to one aspect, an electric milling machine for grating food is
provided, the electric milling machine including a grating mechanism for
producing
- I -
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
powders of food by grating food by relatively moving two or more members which
abut to each other and a control unit configured to control an operation of
the grating
mechanism, and the control unit being configured to perform processing for
making
transition to a grating prohibition mode for prohibiting an operation for
grating the food
by the grating mechanism after grating of the food by the grating mechanism
and
prohibiting the grating operation by the grating mechanism until a prescribed
condition
is satisfied.
Preferably, the prescribed condition includes lapse of a prescribed period of
time.
Preferably, the control unit is configured to be supplied with electric power
from an external power supply, the electric milling machine further includes
an internal
power supply for supplying electric power to the control unit when supply of
electric
power from the external power supply is cut off, and the control unit is
configured to
execute a grating control mode with electric power supplied from the internal
power
supply when supply of electric power from the external power supply is cut
off.
Preferably, the control unit is configured to set the prescribed condition
based
on a manner of grating of the food by the grating mechanism.
Preferably, the electric milling machine further includes a first oscillation
circuit
for oscillating a clock with electric power supplied from the external power
supply, a
second oscillation circuit for oscillating a clock with electric power
supplied from the
internal power supply, and storage means for storing information for
correcting the
clock from the second oscillation circuit based on the clock from the first
oscillation
circuit, and the control unit is configured to correct the clock emitted from
the second
oscillation circuit with the information and to use the corrected clock when
the control
unit performs the processing with electric power supplied from the internal
power
supply.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION
According to the present disclosure, the electric milling machine can make
transition to a grating prohibition mode for prohibiting an operation for
grating food by
- 2 -
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
the grating mechanism. Thus, continued increase in temperature of the grating
mechanism due to a continued operation for grating food by the grating
mechanism can
be avoided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of a beverage preparation apparatus in a
first embodiment.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line II-II in Fig. I.
Fig. 3 is an overall perspective view showing a schematic component of the
beverage preparation apparatus in the first embodiment.
Fig. 4 shows a first preparation flow showing discharge of Japanese tea using
the beverage preparation apparatus in the first embodiment.
Fig. 5 shows a second preparation flow showing discharge of Japanese tea using
the beverage preparation apparatus in the first embodiment.
Fig. 6 shows a third preparation flow showing discharge of Japanese tea using
the beverage preparation apparatus in the first embodiment.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing only an internal structure of the
beverage
preparation apparatus in the first embodiment.
Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a structure around a milling motor unit.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a milling unit in the first embodiment.
Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the milling unit in the first
embodiment.
Fig. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the milling unit in the first
embodiment.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an agitation unit in the present first
embodiment.
Fig. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the agitation unit in the first
embodiment.
Fig. 14 is a diagram showing one example of a hardware configuration of the
beverage preparation apparatus in the first embodiment.
Fig. 15 is a flowchart of one example of processing performed in a beverage
- 3 -
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
,
preparation apparatus 1 for preparation of a beverage.
Fig. 16 is a flowchart of processing performed in beverage preparation
apparatus 1 for countdown and reset of a milling prohibition timer.
Fig. 17 is a diagram schematically showing clocks from three types of clock
oscillation circuits.
Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a specific example of a configuration of a
central
processing unit (CPU) and an external clock in a control device as well as
peripheral
devices thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
A beverage preparation apparatus representing an embodiment of an electric
milling machine in the present disclosure will be described with reference to
the
drawings. The beverage preparation apparatus includes a grating mechanism for
producing powders of food by grating the food and a heating mechanism for
heating a
liquid for preparing a beverage by mixing the liquid with the powders produced
by the
grating mechanism. The electric milling machine, however, should only include
at
least a grating mechanism and does not have to include a heating mechanism.
In the drawings of embodiments described below, the same or corresponding
elements have the same reference numerals allotted and redundant description
may not
be repeated. When the number or an amount is mentioned in each embodiment, the
scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the number or the
amount
unless otherwise specified.
[First Embodiment]
In a first embodiment, though a case that tea leaves are used as an object to
be
grated and tea is prepared as a beverage will be described by way of example,
the
object to be grated is not limited to tea leaves, but the first embodiment can
also be
applied to preparation of a beverage with cereals, dried goods, and other
objects to be
grated.
Hereinafter, tea leaves mean a solid state before grating, powder tea leaves
mean grated tea leaves, and tea means a beverage obtained by agitating
(mixing)
- 4 -
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
powder tea leaves and hot water.
(Beverage Preparation Apparatus 1)
A beverage preparation apparatus 1 in the first embodiment will be described
with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of
beverage
preparation apparatus 1. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line II-II
in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an overall perspective view of a schematic component of beverage
preparation
apparatus 1.
Beverage preparation apparatus 1 uses tea leaves as an object to be grated and
obtains tea leaf powders by grating the tea leaves. The beverage preparation
apparatus
uses the obtained tea leaf powders for preparing tea as a beverage. Beverage
preparation apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 100, an operation
panel 101, a
milling unit 300, an agitation unit 500, a water tank 700. a tea leaf powder
tray 800, and
a placement base 900. Placement base 900 is provided to protrude forward on a
front
side in a lower portion of apparatus main body 100 and a cup (not shown) and
tea leaf
powder tray 800 can be placed thereon.
(Milling Unit 300)
Milling unit 300 is removably attached to a milling unit attachment region 180
provided on a front surface side of apparatus main body 100. A milling driving
force
coupling mechanism 130 is provided in milling unit attachment region 180 so as
to
protrude forward and milling unit 300 is removably attached to this milling
driving
force coupling mechanism 130. Milling unit 300 obtains driving force for
milling tea
leaves representing an object to be grated by being coupled to milling driving
force
coupling mechanism 130.
Tea leaves introduced from an upper portion of milling unit 300 into milling
unit 300 are finely grated in milling unit 300, and dropped and collected as
tea leaf
powders on tea leaf powder tray 800 placed below milling unit 300.
(Agitation Unit 500)
Agitation unit 500 is removably attached to an agitation unit attachment
region
190 provided on the front surface side of apparatus main body 100. An
agitation
- 5 -
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
motor contactless table 140A is provided in agitation unit attachment region
190 and
rotationally drives with magnetic force, an agitation blade 550 (see Fig. 13
which will
be described later) provided in agitation unit 500.
A hot water supply nozzle 170 (see Fig. 7) is provided above agitation unit
attachment region 190 of apparatus main body 100. In apparatus main body 100,
a
temperature of water in water tank 700 is raised to a prescribed temperature
and hot
water is supplied from hot water supply nozzle 170 into an agitation tank 510.
Hot
water prepared in apparatus main body 100 and tea leaf powders obtained by
milling
unit 300 are introduced into agitation tank 510, and hot water and tea leaf
powders are
agitated by agitation blade 550 in agitation tank 510. Tea is thus prepared in
agitation
tank 510. Agitation tank 510 represents one example of an accommodation
portion
for accommodation for mixing of a liquid and powders.
Japanese tea prepared in agitation unit 500 can be poured into a cup (not
shown)
placed on placement base 900 by operating an operation lever 542 of a
discharge port
opening and closing mechanism 540 provided below agitation unit 500.
(Flow of Preparation of Japanese Tea (Beverage))
A flow of preparation of Japanese tea (beverage) with the use of beverage
preparation apparatus 1 will now be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 6.
Figs. 4
to 6 show first to third preparation flows showing discharge of Japanese tea
using
beverage preparation apparatus 1, respectively. A prescribed amount of
Japanese tea
leaves is introduced into milling unit 300 and a prescribed amount of water is
stored in
water tank 700.
(First Preparation Flow)
A first preparation flow will be described with reference to Fig. 4. This
first
preparation flow is a flow in which grating of tea leaves in milling unit 300
and supply
of hot water from apparatus main body 100 to agitation unit 500 are
simultaneously
carried out.
In beverage preparation apparatus 1, milling of tea leaves by milling unit 300
in
step SI is started and supply of hot water from apparatus main body 100 to
agitation
- 6 -
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
unit 500 in step S3 is started. Then, milling of tea leaves by milling unit
300 ends in
step S2, and supply of hot water from apparatus main body 100 to agitation
unit 500
ends in step S4.
In step S5, tea leaf powders obtained in step S2 are introduced into agitation
unit 500 by a user.
Then, in step S6, agitation of the tea leaf powders and hot water in agitation
unit
500 is started. In step S7, agitation of the tea leaf powders and hot water in
agitation
unit 500 ends. In step S8, tea is discharged into a cup placed on placement
base 900
as the user operates operation lever 542 of discharge port opening and closing
mechanism 540 provided below agitation unit 500.
(Second Preparation Flow)
A second preparation flow will be described with reference to Fig. 5. This
second preparation flow is a flow in which hot water is supplied from
apparatus main
body 100 to agitation unit 500 after tea leaves are grated in milling unit
300.
In beverage preparation apparatus 1, in step Sl, milling of tea leaves by
milling
unit 300 is started. In step S2, milling of tea leaves by milling unit 300
ends. In step
S3. tea leaf powders obtained in step S2 are introduced into agitation unit
500 by a user.
In step S4, supply of hot water from apparatus main body 100 to agitation unit
500 is started. In step S5. supply of hot water from apparatus main body 100
to
agitation unit 500 ends.
Then, in step S6, agitation of the tea leaf powders and hot water in agitation
unit
500 is started. In step S7, agitation of the tea leaf powders and hot water in
agitation
unit 500 ends. In step S8, tea is discharged into a cup placed on placement
base 900
as the user operates operation lever 542 of discharge port opening and closing
mechanism 540 provided below agitation unit 500.
(Third Preparation Flow)
A third preparation flow will be described with reference to Fig. 6. This
third
preparation flow includes a step of cooling hot water by agitation in
agitation unit 500.
In beverage preparation apparatus 1, milling of tea leaves by milling unit 300
in
- 7 -
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
step S 1 and supply of hot water from apparatus main body 100 to agitation
unit 500 in
step S3 are simultaneously started. In step S4, supply of hot water from
apparatus
main body 100 to agitation unit 500 ends.
Then, in step S2, milling of tea leaves by milling unit 300 ends, and in step
S5,
cooling by agitation of hot water supply is started in agitation unit 500. In
step S6,
cooling by agitation of hot water supply in agitation unit 500 ends.
Timing of end of milling and timing of end of agitation by cooling may be
controlled to coincide with each other.
In step S7, the tea leaf powders obtained in step S2 are introduced into
agitation
unit 500 by a user.
Then, in step S8, agitation of the tea leaf powders and hot water in agitation
unit
500 is started. In step S9, agitation of the tea leaf powders and hot water in
agitation
unit 500 ends. In a step 40, tea is discharged into a cup placed on placement
base 900
as a user operates operation lever 542 of discharge port opening and closing
mechanism
540 provided below agitation unit 500.
(Internal Structure of Apparatus Main Body 100)
An internal structure of beverage preparation apparatus 1 will now be
described
with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing only the
internal
structure of beverage preparation apparatus 1. In apparatus main body 100 of
beverage preparation apparatus 1, a control unit 110 including a printed
circuit board
on which electronic components are mounted is arranged on a front surface side
of
water tank 700. Based on input of a start signal by a user, the flow for
preparation of
tea is executed by control unit 110.
A milling motor unit 120 for providing driving force to milling unit 300 is
arranged at a position below control unit 110 (printed circuit board). Milling
driving
force coupling mechanism 130 provided to protrude forward for transmitting
driving
force of milling motor unit 120 to milling unit 300 is provided at a position
below
milling motor unit 120.
To a bottom surface of water tank 700, one end of a hot water supply pipe 150
- 8 -
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
extending once downward from the bottom surface and then extending upward in a
U
shape is coupled. Hot water supply nozzle 170 for pouring hot water into
agitation
tank 510 of agitation unit 500 is coupled to an upper end portion of hot water
supply
pipe 150. A U-shaped heater 160 for heating water which passes through hot
water
supply pipe 150 is attached to an intermediate region of hot water supply pipe
150. A
thermistor 123 for measuring a temperature of water which passes through hot
water
supply pipe 150 is attached to hot water supply pipe 150. Beverage preparation
apparatus 1 includes a pump (a pump 261 in Fig. 14) which delivers water (hot
water)
in hot water supply pipe 150 to hot water supply nozzle 170.
Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a structure around milling motor unit 120.
Referring to Fig. 8, milling motor unit 120 includes a motor for milling 121,
a metal
plate 122A for attaching motor for milling 121 to milling driving force
coupling
mechanism 130, and a thermistor 122 attached to metal plate 122A. Motor for
milling
121 is attached to metal plate 122A. Heat conducts from motor for milling 121
to
thermistor 122 through metal plate 122A. Thus, thermistor 122 can measure a
temperature on an outer surface of motor for milling 121.
(Structure of Milling Unit 300)
A structure of milling unit 300 will now be described with reference to Figs.
9
to 11. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of milling unit 300. Fig. 10 is an
exploded
perspective view of milling unit 300. Fig. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional
view of
milling unit 300.
Milling unit 300 has a milling case 310 having a cylindrical shape as a whole,
and a window 310w for coupling in which milling driving force coupling
mechanism
130 is inserted is provided in a side surface below. An outlet port 312a is
formed at a
lowermost end portion of milling case 310 from which powders of tea leaves
grated by
milling unit 300 are taken out (drop).
A powder scraper 340, a lower mill 350, and an upper mill 360 are sequentially
provided from below, in the inside of milling case 310. A milling shaft 345
extending
downward is provided on a lower surface of powder scraper 340 and coupled to
milling
- 9 -
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
driving force coupling mechanism 130.
A core 355 extending upward along a core of a rotation shaft is provided in
the
central portion of lower mill 350. Upper mill 360 is held by an upper mill
holding
member 370, and a spring 380 and a spring holding member 390 pressing upper
mill
360 downward are accommodated in upper mill holding member 370.
Core 355 provided in lower mill 350 extends upward to pass through upper mill
360.
Upper mill 360 and lower mill 350 in the first embodiment have a radius r
approximately from 15 mm to 30 mm, and upper mill 360 and lower mill 350 have
a
thickness tl around 8 mm. A relative rotation speed W of upper mill 360 and
lower
mill 350 is approximately 60 rpm W 150 rpm. Thus, processing capability can be
obtained based on a rotation speed in compensation for decrease in area of
contact
between the mills and reduction in necessary torque, and processing capability
per
necessary torque can thereby be enhanced rather than by increasing an area.
(Structure of Agitation Unit 500)
A structure of agitation unit 500 will now be described with reference to
Figs.
12 and 13. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of agitation unit 500. Fig. 13 is a
vertical
cross-sectional view of agitation unit 500.
Agitation unit 500 includes agitation tank 510. Agitation tank 510 includes an
exterior holder 511 made of a resin and a thermally insulated tank 512 held by
this
exterior holder 511. An integrally resin molded grip 520 is provided in
exterior holder
511. Over an upper opening of agitation tank 510, an agitation cover 530
opening and
closing the opening is provided. Agitation cover 530 is provided with a powder
inlet
531 through which tea leaf powders grated by milling unit 300 are introduced
and a hot
water supply inlet 532 formed in apparatus main body 100, through which hot
water is
poured from hot water supply nozzle 170.
Agitation blade 550 is placed on a bottom portion of agitation tank 510.
Agitation unit 500 further includes an agitation motor unit 140 including a
motor for
agitation 141 (see Fig. 14) for rotating agitation blade 550. A rotation shaft
560
- 10-
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
extending upward is provided on the bottom portion of agitation tank 510, and
a
bearing portion 551 for agitation blade 550 is inserted in this rotation shaft
560.
A magnet is embedded in agitation blade 550. In agitation motor contactless
table 140A, the magnet embedded in agitation blade 550 and a magnet provided
on a
side of agitation motor unit 140 are magnetically coupled in a contactless
state, so that
rotational driving force of agitation motor unit 140 is transmitted to
agitation blade 550.
A discharge port 541 for discharging agitated tea is provided in the bottom
portion of agitation tank 510. Discharge port opening and closing mechanism
540 is
provided at discharge port 541. Discharge port opening and closing mechanism
540
includes an opening and closing nozzle 543 inserted into discharge port 541 so
as to be
able to open and close discharge port 541 and operation lever 542 controlling
a position
of opening and closing nozzle 543. Opening and closing nozzle 543 is biased to
close
discharge port 541 by a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring in a
normal state.
When a user moves operation lever 542 against biasing force, opening and
closing
nozzle 543 moves to open discharge port 541 and thus tea in agitation tank 510
is
poured into a cup (not shown) placed on placement base 900.
(Hardware Configuration)
Fig. 14 is a diagram showing one example of a hardware configuration of
beverage preparation apparatus 1 in the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 14,
beverage preparation apparatus 1 includes a control device 111 for controlling
an
operation of beverage preparation apparatus 1. In beverage preparation
apparatus 1 in
the first embodiment, control device 111 is located in control unit 110 (see
Fig. 7).
Arrangement of control device 111 is not limited as such.
Control device 1 1 1 includes a CPU 901 for control by execution of a program,
a
random access memory (RAM) 902 functioning as a work area for CPU 901, a
memory
903 for non-transitory storage of data such as a program, and an external
clock (a clock
oscillation circuit) 904. Memory 903 is implemented, for example, by an
electrically
erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).
Control device 111 is connected to thermistor 122, motor for milling 121,
motor
- II -
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
for agitation 141, heater 160, and pump 261 through a bus. Beverage
preparation
apparatus 1 further includes an operation portion 911, an ammeter 912, a
rotation
sensor 913, a thermometer 914, a display portion 921, external clock 904, an
auxiliary
power supply 910, and a speaker 922.
Operation portion 911 is operated for inputting information to CPU 901 and
implemented, for example, by one or more buttons. Ammeter 912 measures a
current
value in motor for milling 121 and inputs the current value to CPU 901.
Rotation
sensor 913 measures a rotation signal of motor for milling 121 and inputs the
rotation
signal to CPU 901. Thermometer 914 measures a temperature of water stored in
water tank 700 (or water in hot water supply pipe 150) and inputs the
temperature to
CPU 901. Thermometer 914 is provided, for example, on an inner surface of a
cover
of beverage preparation apparatus 1 so as to measure a temperature at a
portion
exhibiting a temperature which can be close to a temperature of water in water
tank 700.
Display portion 921 is provided to output information to the outside of
beverage
preparation apparatus 1. Display portion 921 is implemented, for example. by a
plurality of indicators. CPU 901 gives a notification of end of grating of an
object to
be grated, for example, by turning on a prescribed indicator in display
portion 921.
Speaker 922 outputs voice and sound. CPU 901 notifies end of grating of an
object to
be grated, for example, by having speaker 922 output voice and sound.
CPU 901 has each portion in beverage preparation apparatus 1 operate by being
supplied with electric power from a not-shown external power supply. CPU 901
performs a time counting operation by making use of external clock 904 when it
is
supplied with electric power from the external power supply. CPU 901 includes
an
internal clock 910A. When supply of electric power from the external power
supply
cannot be received, for example, due to removal of a plug from an outlet, CPU
901
performs the time counting operation by being supplied with electric power
from
auxiliary power supply 910 and making use of internal clock 910A. Auxiliary
power
supply 910 is implemented, for example, by a capacitor or a storage battery.
CPU 901
can have auxiliary power supply 910 store electric power which is supplied
from the
- 12 -
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
external power supply. Internal clock 910A is lower in power consumption than
external clock 904. Therefore, auxiliary power supply 910 is implemented, for
example, by a double layer capacitor at approximately 0.22 Fa (farad).
(Control Flow)
A specific control flow for preparation of a beverage including grating of tea
leaves and supply of hot water to agitation unit 500 in beverage preparation
apparatus 1
will now be described. Fig. 15 is a flowchart of one example of processing
performed
in beverage preparation apparatus 1 for preparation of a beverage.
In the processing shown in Fig. 15, a "milling prohibition timer" is made use
of.
The milling prohibition timer counts a "prescribed period of time" in order
not to
perform a next milling operation for a prescribed period of time (for example,
"30
minutes") after milling motor unit 120 performed the milling operation. The
milling
prohibition timer is set in step S50, counted down in step S110 or step S140
in a
process in Fig. 16 which will be described later, and cleared in step S160.
The
prescribed period of time should only be a time period until lower mill 350
and upper
mill 360 heated by friction during the milling operation are cooled to a safe
temperature
by atmosphere or the like and the "30 minutes" represents merely one example.
Referring to Fig. 15, CPU 901 determines in step SIO whether or not start of
grating (milling) of tea leaves and heating of water has been indicated. When
CPU
901 determines that such an instruction has been given, control proceeds to
step S20.
CPU 901 determines in step S20 whether or not the milling prohibition timer
has been set. When CPU 901 determines that the milling prohibition timer has
been
set, control proceeds to step S22. When the CPU determines that the milling
prohibition timer has not been set, control proceeds to step S30.
In step S22, CPU 901 notifies that milling is being prohibited, and control
proceeds to step S24.
CPU 901 determines in step S24 whether or not a predetermined period of time
(a time period for notification) has elapsed since start of notification in
step S22.
When the CPU determines that the predetermined period of time has elapsed,
control
- 13-
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
proceeds to step S26.
In step S26, CPU 901 stops the notification started in step S22, and control
returns to step S10.
According to control in step S22 to step S26, even though CPU 901 accepts an
instruction to start grating (milling) of tea leaves and heating of water in
step S 10, the
CPU waits for input of a next instruction without allowing milling motor unit
120 to
perform milling. The notification in step S30 may be provided as output of
voice and
sound from speaker 922 or output of visual information on display portion 921.
When the notification is provided as output of voice and sound and as output
of
a predetermined message. the notification can end without waiting for lapse of
the time
period for notification as in control in steps S24 and S26.
In step S30, CPU 901 has milling motor unit 120 start the milling operation
and
has heater 160 start the heating operation. When both of the operations are
completed,
control proceeds to step S40.
In step S40, CPU 901 notifies that the milling operation and the heating
operation have been completed. The notification is given, for example, by
representation on display portion 921 and/or output of voice and sound from
speaker
922. Control then proceeds to step S50. When the milling operation out of the
milling operation and the heating operation started in step S30 is completed
before the
heating operation, CPU 901 may give a notification in step S40 that the
milling
operation has been completed without waiting for completion of the heating
operation.
When the heating operation is completed before the milling operation, CPU 901
may
give a notification in step S40 that the heating operation has been completed
without
waiting for completion of the milling operation.
In step S50, CPU 901 starts the milling prohibition timer. Control then
proceeds to step S60.
CPU 901 determines in step S60 whether or not start of supply of hot water to
agitation tank 510 has been indicated. When CPU 901 determines that such an
instruction has been given, control proceeds to step S70. A user introduces
grated tea
- 14 -
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
leaves into agitation tank 510 before the user gives an instruction to start
supply of hot
water to agitation tank 510.
In step S70. CPU 901 has supply of hot water to agitation tank 510 started by
driving pump 261. Control then proceeds to step S80. Supply of hot water is
stopped when a predetermined condition (for example, supply of hot water in an
amount corresponding to strength of a beverage and/or the number of servings
which
have/has been set is completed) is satisfied.
In step S80. CPU 901 has agitation unit 500 start agitation of a solution in
agitation tank 510. Control then proceeds to step S90.
CPU 901 determines in step S90 whether or not a condition for completion of
agitation started in step S80 has been satisfied. For example, a condition for
completion of agitation is satisfied when a predetermined period of time has
elapsed
since start of agitation. CPU 901 specifies elapsed time since start of
agitation by
referring to the time counted by external clock 904. When CPU 901 determines
that
the condition for completion of agitation has been satisfied, it has agitation
unit 500
stop agitation and the process in Fig. 15 ends.
In the process described with reference to Fig. 15 above, when the milling
operation is completed and the "milling prohibition timer" is set in step S50,
the milling
operation by milling motor unit 120 is not performed until the timer is
cleared in step
S160 which will be described later even though an instruction for milling is
input.
(Countdown and Reset of Milling Prohibition Timer)
Processing for countdown and reset of the milling prohibition timer will now
be
described. Fig. 16 is a flowchart of processing performed in beverage
preparation
apparatus 1 for countdown and reset of the milling prohibition timer. The
processing
in Fig. 16 is started on condition that the "milling prohibition timer" is set
in step S50 in
Fig. 15, and performed in parallel to the processing in Fig. 15.
Referring to Fig. 16, CPU 901 determines in step S100 whether or not supply of
electric power from the external power supply to beverage preparation
apparatus 1 has
been stopped. When CPU 901 determines that supply has been stopped, control
- 15-
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
proceeds to step S110. When the CPU determines that supply has not been
stopped,
control proceeds to step S140.
In step 5110, CPU 901 counts down the milling prohibition timer with electric
power supplied from auxiliary power supply 910. Control then proceeds to step
S120.
CPU 901 determines in step S120 whether or not supply of electric power from
the external power supply to beverage preparation apparatus 1 has been
resumed.
When CPU 901 determines that supply has been resumed, control proceeds to step
S150. When CPU 901 determines that supply has not been resumed, control
proceeds
to step S130.
CPU 901 determines in step S130 whether or not counting of the milling
prohibition timer has ended. When the CPU determines that counting has ended,
control proceeds to step S160. When the CPU determines that the counting has
not
yet ended, control returns to step S110.
In step S140, CPU 901 receives supply of electric power from the external
power supply and counts down the milling prohibition timer. Control then
proceeds
to step S150.
CPU 901 determines in step S150 whether or not counting of the milling
prohibition timer has ended. Then, when the CPU determines that counting has
ended,
control proceeds to step S160. When the CPU determines that counting has not
yet
ended, control returns to step S100.
In step S160. CPU 901 clears the milling prohibition timer and the process
ends.
As described above with reference to Fig. 16, when counting of the milling
prohibition timer ends in beverage preparation apparatus 1, the milling
prohibition
timer is cleared. Thus, when start of milling is indicated in step S10 (see
Fig. 15), the
milling operation by milling motor unit 120 is performed in step S30.
Even when supply of electric power from the external power supply is stopped,
for example, due to removal of a plug of beverage preparation apparatus 1 from
an
outlet, CPU 901 continues to count down the milling prohibition timer by being
supplied with electric power from auxiliary power supply 910. Thus,
interruption of
- 16-
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
=
countdown of the milling prohibition timer due to stop of supply of electric
power from
the external power supply and the timer being cleared before the end of
counting of the
milling prohibition timer due to stop of supply of electric power from the
external
power supply (erasure of set data that the timer has been set) can be avoided.
Therefore, the milling operation can reliably be prohibited for a time period
equal to or
longer than a period of time counted by the milling prohibition timer.
[Second Embodiment]
A hardware configuration of the beverage preparation apparatus in a second
embodiment can be the same as in beverage preparation apparatus 1 in the first
embodiment. Beverage preparation apparatus 1 in the second embodiment has
information for correcting a clock from internal clock 910A with a clock from
external
clock 904 (information for correction). Then, when CPU 901 counts down the
milling
prohibition timer by receiving supply of electric power from auxiliary power
supply
910 in the processing as described with reference to Fig. 16, the CPU counts
down the
timer while it corrects the clock from internal clock 910A with the
information for
correction.
Fig. 17 is a diagram schematically showing clocks from three types of clock
oscillation circuits. An "external clock" in Fig. 17 represents one example of
a clock
oscillated by external clock 904. An "internal clock (I)" and an "internal
clock (2)"
represent two examples of clocks oscillated by a clock oscillation circuit
which can be
made use of as internal clock 910A. In beverage preparation apparatus 1 in the
second embodiment, a clock oscillation circuit relatively high in accuracy is
made use
of as external clock 904, whereas a clock oscillation circuit low in accuracy
is made use
of as internal clock 910A. Therefore, variation among individual clocks
oscillated by
internal clock 910A is great. Difference between the "internal clock (1)" and
the
"internal clock (2)" in Fig. 17 corresponds to variation between clocks
oscillated by the
clock oscillation circuit made use of as internal clock 910A.
The clocks oscillated by the clock oscillation circuit made use of as internal
clock 910A are varied as shown in Fig. 17. Therefore, a time period from
setting of
-17-
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
the milling prohibition timer to end of countdown may be different between a
case that
the milling prohibition timer is counted down with auxiliary power supply 910
as
described with reference to Fig. 16 and with internal clock 910A and a case
that the
timer is counted down with the external power supply and with external clock
904.
In the second embodiment, CPU 901 generates information for correction by
making use of a ratio of an oscillation period between internal clock 910A in
beverage
preparation apparatus 1 and external clock 904. When CPU 901 counts down the
milling prohibition timer with auxiliary power supply 910 and with internal
clock 910A,
it counts down the timer while it corrects the clock from internal clock 910A
with the
information for correction. Thus, variation in time period from setting of the
milling
prohibition timer to end of countdown can be lessened.
[Third Embodiment]
A hardware configuration of the beverage preparation apparatus in a third
embodiment can be the same as in beverage preparation apparatus 1 in the first
embodiment. In beverage preparation apparatus 1 in the third embodiment, a
length
of a time period counted by the milling prohibition timer, that is, a time
period required
from setting of the tinier to countdown, is changed in accordance with the
number of
servings of a beverage set for milling. For example, when an instruction to
prepare
one to three servings of a beverage can be given in one instruction for
preparation of
the beverage in beverage preparation apparatus 1, CPU 901 selects a timer to
be set
such that a time period to be counted by the milling prohibition timer is
longer when
preparation of two servings of the beverage is indicated than when preparation
of one
serving of the beverage is indicated.
As the number of servings indicated in one preparation of a beverage is
greater,
an amount of tea leaves to be used is greater, and thus a time period for the
milling
operation performed by milling motor unit 120 is expected to be longer.
Temperature
increase in lower mill 350 and upper mill 360 is also expected to be greater
with a
longer period of time for the milling operation.
In the third embodiment, a time period counted by the milling prohibition
timer
-18-
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
is adjusted as described above, so that a period during which the milling
operation is
not performed can be longer as a temperature is expected to be higher.
A time period counted by the milling prohibition timer may be set in
accordance
with a time period for the milling operation performed in one preparation of a
beverage,
instead of the number of servings indicated in one preparation of a beverage.
For
example, a time period counted by the milling prohibition timer is set to
twice as long
as the time period for the milling operation. Specifically, when the milling
operation
is performed for 2 minutes, the time period counted by the milling prohibition
timer is
thereafter set to 4 minutes so that the milling operation is prohibited for 4
minutes.
[Fourth Embodiment]
A hardware configuration of the beverage preparation apparatus in a fourth
embodiment can be the same as in beverage preparation apparatus 1 in the first
embodiment. Beverage preparation apparatus 1 in the fourth embodiment does not
set
the milling prohibition timer in some cases even though the milling operation
is
performed. More specifically, CPU 901 in beverage preparation apparatus 1 in
the
fourth embodiment determines whether or not to set the milling prohibition
timer based
not only on end of one milling operation but also on history of milling
operations which
have been performed.
For example, CPU 901 sets the milling prohibition timer in step S50 (see Fig.
15) on condition that a specific condition has been satisfied. The specific
condition
includes, for example, such a condition that the milling operations have
successively
been performed at an interval not longer than a certain period (for example,
15 minutes)
and an accumulated value of periods of such successive milling operations
reaches a
specific time period (for example, 30 minutes).
Whether or not to set the milling prohibition timer is determined based on
history of the milling operations (a length of a substantial duration of the
milling
operation) as in the fourth embodiment, so that the milling operation can, be
prohibited
only when lower mill 350 and upper mill 360 should be cooled. Thus, beverage
preparation apparatus 1 can avoid as much as possible such a situation that
the milling
- 19-
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
operation cannot be performed because of cooling of lower mill 350 and upper
mill 360
when a user desires to perform the milling operation.
[Fifth Embodiment]
A hardware configuration of the beverage preparation apparatus in a fifth
embodiment can be the same as in beverage preparation apparatus 1 in the first
embodiment. Beverage preparation apparatus 1 in the fifth embodiment performs
the
milling operation with the number of relative rotations of lower mill 350 and
upper mill
360 being reduced, rather than the milling operation not performed during a
period in
which the milling prohibition timer has been set. Thus, beverage preparation
apparatus 1 can avoid as much as possible such a situation that the milling
operation
cannot be performed when a user desires the milling operation.
[Sixth Embodiment]
A hardware configuration of the beverage preparation apparatus in a sixth
embodiment can be the same as in beverage preparation apparatus 1 in the first
embodiment. In beverage preparation apparatus 1 in the sixth embodiment, a
temperature in the vicinity of lower mill 350 and/or upper mill 360 is
measured instead
of making use of the milling prohibition timer.
Specifically, when a measured temperature exceeds a specific temperature,
beverage preparation apparatus 1 in the sixth embodiment prohibits the milling
operation until the measured temperature is equal to or lower than the
specific
temperature. "Prohibition" may be not allowing the milling operation or
reduction in
number of relative rotations between lower mill 350 and upper mill 360 in the
milling
operation.
[Specific Example of Control Device]
Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a specific example of a configuration of CPU 901
and external clock 904 in control device 111 (see Fig. 14) as well as
peripheral devices
thereof. In the specific example shown in Fig. 18, an integrated circuit (IC)
1001 is
shown as a specific example of CPU 901. A clock oscillation circuit 1004 is
shown as
a specific example of external clock 904. A capacitor 1010 is shown as a
specific
- 20 -
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
example of auxiliary power supply 910.
Fig. 18 shows with a bold arrow, a flow of a current during a period in which
electric power is supplied from the external power supply to beverage
preparation
apparatus 1. A flow of a current during a period in which supply of electric
power
from the external power supply to beverage preparation apparatus 1 has been
stopped is
shown with a hollow arrow.
Referring to Fig. 18, during a period in which beverage preparation apparatus
1
is supplied with electric power from the external power supply, a voltage of
24 V from
the external power supply is down-converted to 5 V by a regulator 1101 and
then
supplied to IC 1001. IC 1001 has electric power supplied to clock oscillation
circuit
1004. As IC 1001 turns on a transistor 1102 (renders the transistor
conducting),
electric power from the external power supply is supplied to various
components such
as a switch (SW) and a thermistor (TH) through transistor 1102. Capacitor 1010
is
charged with electric power from the external power supply.
During a period in which supply of electric power from the external power
supply to beverage preparation apparatus 1 has been stopped, IC 1001 does not
allow
electric power supply to clock oscillation circuit 1004, but drives the clock
oscillation
circuit within IC 1001 with electric power stored in capacitor 1010 so as to
have the
milling prohibition timer perform the counting operation. IC 1001 does not
allow
supply of electric power to various components such as the switch (SW) and the
thermistor (TH) by turning off transistor 1102 (rendering the transistor non-
conducting).
In the embodiments disclosed herein, a time period "15 minutes" is exemplified
as the upper limit of the number of rotations of the mill. Thus, an operation
for
counting at least "30 minutes" is necessary as the upper limit for the
counting operation
by the milling prohibition timer. The auxiliary power supply (capacitor 1010)
has at
least a capacity necessary for driving only IC 1001 (CPU 901) for 30 minutes
with
transistor 1102 being turned off. In order to drive IC 1001 (CPU 901) for 30
minutes,
a capacity to some extent is required. Therefore, in the embodiments above, an
electric double layer capacitor (called a supercapacitor) relatively high in
capacity may
-21 -
CA 02939068 2016-08-08
be adopted by way of example of capacitor 1010.
It should be understood that the embodiments and modifications thereof
disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The
scope of the
present disclosure is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the
description
above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and
meaning
equivalent to the terms of the claims.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
1 beverage preparation apparatus; 100 apparatus main body; 101 operation
panel; 110 control unit; 111 control device; 120 milling motor unit; 121 motor
for
milling; 122, 123 thermistor; 122A metal plate; 130 milling driving force
coupling
mechanism; 140 agitation motor unit; 140A contactless table; 141 motor for
agitation;
150 hot water supply pipe; 160 heater; 170 hot water supply nozzle; 180 unit
attachment region; 190 agitation unit attachment region; 261 pump; 300 milling
unit;
310 milling case; 310w window for coupling; 312a outlet port; 340 powder
scraper;
345 milling shaft; 350 lower mill; 355 core; 360 upper mill; 370 upper mill
holding
member; 380 spring; 390 spring holding member; 500 agitation unit; 510
agitation
tank; 511 exterior holder; 512 thermally insulated tank; 531 powder inlet; 532
hot water
supply inlet; 540 discharge port opening and closing mechanism; 541 discharge
port;
542 operation lever; 543 opening and closing nozzle; 550 agitation blade; 551
bearing
portion; 560 rotation shaft; 700 water tank; 800 tea leaf powder tray; 900
placement
base; 903 memory: 904 external clock; 910 auxiliary power supply: 910A
internal
clock; 911 operation portion; 912 ammeter; 913 rotation sensor; 914
thermometer; 921
display portion; 922 speaker; 1001 IC; 1004 clock oscillation circuit; 1010
capacitor;
1101 regulator; and 1102 transistor.
- 22 -
